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Rockets at Lakers, Dec. 2: Lineups, how to watch, injury reports, uniforms

ben dubose
·2 min read

Entering December, the new-look Rockets (8-8) are one of the feel-good stories of the NBA’s 2023-24 season to date. After three years at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, Houston has quickly become competitive under new head coach Ime Udoka.

Yet, despite that better-than-expected overall record, Houston remains the only team in the league without a road win (0-7).

Some of that discrepancy is based on scheduling factors. Most of those losses were close games, and the last five featured opponents with at least one superstar player in the form of the Los Angeles Clippers with Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Paul George; the Lakers with LeBron James and Anthony Davis; the Golden State Warriors with Steph Curry; the Dallas Mavericks with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving; and the Denver Nuggets with Nikola Jokic.

Unfortunately for the Rockets, that rough schedule isn’t evening out just yet, as Saturday’s game is a rematch against James, Davis, and the Lakers from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

The previous meeting between the teams was a thriller, with Alperen Sengun and James trading key plays in the final 10 seconds during what ultimately finished as a one-point Los Angeles victory.

When and How to Watch

Probable starting lineups

Houston Rockets (8-8)

Los Angeles Lakers (11-9)

Injury reports

Houston’s Dec. 2 injury report lists Amen Thompson (right ankle sprain) and Victor Oladipo (left patellar tendon repair) as out.

The Lakers will be without Gabe Vincent (left knee effusion).

Los Angeles is listing James (bruised left calf) as questionable, though he’s routinely played through that designation in recent games. Anthony Davis (left adductor/hip spasm), Jaxson Hayes (left elbow soreness), and Cam Reddish (right groin soreness) are all probable.

Dec. 2 uniform choices

  • Rockets: Black Statement Edition

  • Lakers: White Association Edition

(via LockerVision)

Practice updates

Upcoming schedule

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Story originally appeared on Rockets Wire